The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Chronicles Series #1)

I’m a big fan of this series in all its forms! I watched the television show on Netflix first (a real winner that pays great respect to the events of these books even as it must abridge them). I adore both. My comment is for any of you folks who have watched the TV show and are debating whether or not to read these books...do it! What I appreciate about these after having watched the television series first is the insight, the careful detail, and that pleasure of actually being inside Uhtred’s mind. Coming across familiar events and dialogue as I made my way through this book was like finding little candies. You learn the significance of “Destiny is all.” You learn more about Ravn and his importance to Uhtred, while he didn’t stick around beyond the first episode of the show. S1 pretty much glossed over Uhtred’s childhood while Uhtred spends the majority of Book 1 being a child, so reading these books, there was so much to learn, so much to be surprised by, and I fell in love with the series all over again, for all the same reasons as well as new ones. You can’t help but notice with every word the love and diligent research that the author Bernard Cornwell put into this great piece of historical fiction. I love the narrative voice he has created for Uhtred, as well. Can I just say, what an amazing character! I’m truly obsessed.

Interesting read. I think this would have been better had I not listened to it on audiobook. There were many place names that made listening to it terribly awkward and difficult. I really could have used a map while I was reading this. And also a genealogy. It was hard to keep track of most of the characters. Another "complaint" I had was how brutal and bloody it was. Yeah, yeah, I get it. I am a student of this time period, I know that it wasn't roses and pies. I know that it was this bloody and brutal. But I still didn't enjoy it. I know (from reading Tolkien) that you don't need all that bloody business. I guess it makes it more authentic but it feels unnecessary to me. Or at least so much of it. SO MUCH BLOOD. "And then I pulled Waspsting out, pulling guts out with it." "The axe landed squarely between the eyes." "There was blood in his beard." I'm paraphrasing, but come on, there's just SO MUCH BLOOD. Yuck. I might try the next one because I like this history business, but I might call it quits if there's this same amount of blood. So, yeah, I'd recommend it, but FYI. Not for weak stomachs or conscientious observers.